Study: bilingual kids more likely to stutter

September 10, 2008 2:24:43 PM PDT

A new study might have some parents wondering if bilingual education should start later in a child's life. British researchers have found that children who are bilingual before their 5th birthday are far more likely to stutter and have a tougher time overcoming a speech impediment. That's compared to their counterparts who speak only one language.

The findings reported in the Archives of Disease in Childhood suggests that, if a child uses a language other than English in the home, deferring the time when they learn English reduces the chance of starting to stutter. It also aids the chances of recovery later in childhood.